Jeypore: In a major breakthrough, the Jeypore Town Police have cracked multiple cases of dacoity, loot, and extortion, arresting 14 notorious criminals involved in four separate incidents.
The arrests were made following raids conducted under the instructions of DIG Kanwar Vishal Singh and Koraput SP Rohit Verma, officials informed at a press conference on Saturday.
Providing details, Additional SP Ambit Mohanty and Jeypore Town Police Station IIC Ullas Chandra Rout said that the crackdown targeted gangs operating across different localities.
In one case, where a gang was preparing for a dacoity, six men were arrested: Shiva Suna (28), Sunil Paraja alias Lalu (21), Hari Nayak (22), Suresh Harijan (25), T. Manikantha (26), and Kartik Khud (26). Police seized four knives, a sword, an iron rod, a torch, chili powder, and three motorcycles from their possession.
In a separate case of forcible extortion, four accused were nabbed: Vijay Nayak (18), Shubham Bishoyi (22), Raj Kumar Kakadi (23), and Ishwar Chetia (28). From them, police recovered a folding knife and ₹500 in cash.
Two more, Ramanath Suna alias Nakara (27) and Rajiv Khil (24), were arrested in connection with the July 3 robbery, where ₹1 lakh was looted from farmer Kamal Lochan Bhattara of Hadiya Gram. Police seized a scooter (OD24-A-3840) and ₹20,000 of the stolen money.
Similarly, in another case on July 23, when a youth, Mohit Kumar Patra of Purunagada, was looted of ₹20,000 and his mobile phone while returning home on Yamunaguda Canal Road, the accused Shankar Garada (19) and Rohit Hial (22) were arrested. Police recovered ₹5,000 in cash and the looted mobile phone.
All 14 accused have been produced in court. Police said further raids will be intensified to curb criminal activities in the region.
